Animal House
The 1978 sitcom "Delta House" was not the only sitcom based on "Animal House." Both the 1979 series "Brothers and Sisters" and "Co-Ed Fever" were loosely based on the film (the latter named one of the 50 worst shows of all time by TV Guide in 2002). less

Animal House
The 1978 sitcom "Delta House" was not the only sitcom based on "Animal House." Both the 1979 series "Brothers and Sisters" and "Co-Ed Fever" were loosely based on the film (the latter named one ... more

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Blade
The 1998 film starring Wesley Snipes as a half-vampire vampire hunter spun off two sequels.

Blade
The 1998 film starring Wesley Snipes as a half-vampire vampire hunter spun off two sequels.

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Blade: The Series
The 2006 television spin-off of "Blade" starred Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones, and aired on Spike TV.

Blade: The Series
The 2006 television spin-off of "Blade" starred Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones, and aired on Spike TV.

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Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Another film about a vampire hunter, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was Joss Whedon's first and less successful version of what would become his most famous creation. It starred Kristy Swanson, Luke Perry, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer and Ben Affleck, Hilary Swank, Seth Green and Ricki Lake in smaller roles. less

Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Another film about a vampire hunter, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was Joss Whedon's first and less successful version of what would become his most famous creation. It starred Kristy ... more

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Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The 1997 series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar ran for 7 seasons, and is considered a cult classic.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The 1997 series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar ran for 7 seasons, and is considered a cult classic.

Dirty Dancing
The 1998 television series lasted all of 11 episodes, and starred Patrick Cassidy, younger brother of Shaun and David.

Dirty Dancing
The 1998 television series lasted all of 11 episodes, and starred Patrick Cassidy, younger brother of Shaun and David.

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The 1982 film was an instant teen classic. It starred Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates and Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards and Nicholas Cage all had bit roles. less

Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The 1982 film was an instant teen classic. It starred Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates and Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards and ... more

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The short-lived 1996 sitcom starred Courtney Thorne-Smith and Patrick Dempsey. Ray Walston, "Mr. Hand," reprised his role as the tough history teacher.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The short-lived 1996 sitcom starred Courtney Thorne-Smith and Patrick Dempsey. Ray Walston, "Mr. Hand," reprised his role as the tough history teacher.

Photo: ?????

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The classic 1986 John Hughes film starred Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck and Jennifer Grey.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The classic 1986 John Hughes film starred Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, Alan Ruck and Jennifer Grey.

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The 1990 NBC spin-off starred Charlie Schlatter in the title role, and co-starred Jennifer Aniston as Ferris' sister. The series only lasted 13 episodes.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The 1990 NBC spin-off starred Charlie Schlatter in the title role, and co-starred Jennifer Aniston as Ferris' sister. The series only lasted 13 episodes.

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TFlipper
he 1963 film about a boy and his pet dolphin starred Chuck Connors.

TFlipper
he 1963 film about a boy and his pet dolphin starred Chuck Connors.

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Flipper
NBC turned the film into a series in 1964. It aired for three seasons.

Flipper
NBC turned the film into a series in 1964. It aired for three seasons.

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Flipper
In 1995, "Flipper" was brought back to television. The first two seasons starred a young Jessica Alba in a supporting role.

Flipper
In 1995, "Flipper" was brought back to television. The first two seasons starred a young Jessica Alba in a supporting role.

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Friday Night Lights
The 2004 film was based on a nonfiction book about the 1988 Permian Panthers football team by H. G. Bissinger. It starred Billy Bob Thornton as the team's coach.

Friday Night Lights
The 2004 film was based on a nonfiction book about the 1988 Permian Panthers football team by H. G. Bissinger. It starred Billy Bob Thornton as the team's coach.

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Friday Night Lights
Widely considered one of the best television series in recent years, NBC's "Friday Night Lights" starred Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton.

Friday Night Lights
Widely considered one of the best television series in recent years, NBC's "Friday Night Lights" starred Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton.

Photo: PAUL DRINKWATER / NBC

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The Highlander
The 1986 cult classic film starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery as immortal warriors.

The Highlander
The 1986 cult classic film starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery as immortal warriors.

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Highlander
The 1992 syndicated series starred Adrian Paul and lasted for 6 seasons.

Highlander
The 1992 syndicated series starred Adrian Paul and lasted for 6 seasons.

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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Rick Moranis starred in the 1989 Disney film.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Rick Moranis starred in the 1989 Disney film.

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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
The TV spin-off starred Peter Scolari and ran for three seasons on the Disney Channel.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
The TV spin-off starred Peter Scolari and ran for three seasons on the Disney Channel.

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In the Heat of the Night
The 1967 film starred Sidney Poitier as a Philadelphia cop who investigates a murder in a racist small town in Mississippi. Rod Steiger co-starred as Sparta, MS chief of police.

In the Heat of the Night
The 1967 film starred Sidney Poitier as a Philadelphia cop who investigates a murder in a racist small town in Mississippi. Rod Steiger co-starred as Sparta, MS chief of police.

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In the Heat of the Night
Carroll O'Connor and Harold Rollins starred in the 1988 CBS spin-off. It lasted for 8 seasons.

In the Heat of the Night
Carroll O'Connor and Harold Rollins starred in the 1988 CBS spin-off. It lasted for 8 seasons.

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MASH
The dark 1970 comedy by Robert Altman about a medical personnel unit stationed in the Korean War starred Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland. The film was a critical and popular success.

MASH
The dark 1970 comedy by Robert Altman about a medical personnel unit stationed in the Korean War starred Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland. The film was a critical and popular success.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding
The 2003 CBS sit-com picked up where the film left off, and also starred Nia Vardalos, but replaced John Corbett with Steven Eckholdt. The series was canceled after only 7 episodes.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding
The 2003 CBS sit-com picked up where the film left off, and also starred Nia Vardalos, but replaced John Corbett with Steven Eckholdt. The series was canceled after only 7 episodes.

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La Femme Nikita
The 1990 French film about a young junkie who is turned into an assassin for the French government was remade in the U.S. as "Point of No Return" starring Bridget Fonda.

La Femme Nikita
The 1990 French film about a young junkie who is turned into an assassin for the French government was remade in the U.S. as "Point of No Return" starring Bridget Fonda.

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Nikita
The television spin-off currently airs on The CW, and stars Maggie Q.

Nikita
The television spin-off currently airs on The CW, and stars Maggie Q.

Starman
ABC ran the spin-off series for one season in 1987. It starred Robert Hays in the title role.

Starman
ABC ran the spin-off series for one season in 1987. It starred Robert Hays in the title role.

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Teen Wolf
Michael J. Fox starred as the teenager who discovers that he is actually a werewolf in this 1985 comedy.

Teen Wolf
Michael J. Fox starred as the teenager who discovers that he is actually a werewolf in this 1985 comedy.

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Teen Wolf
MTV reimagined the film in 2011, making it into a horror series, rather than a comedy. It stars Tyler Posey and is currently in its third season.

Teen Wolf
MTV reimagined the film in 2011, making it into a horror series, rather than a comedy. It stars Tyler Posey and is currently in its third season.

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The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as the cyborg with a mission in this 1985 film. It went on to be one of the most successful sci-fi franchises of all time.

The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as the cyborg with a mission in this 1985 film. It went on to be one of the most successful sci-fi franchises of all time.

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Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
This television spin-off starred Lena Headley (better known as Queen Cersei on "Game of Thrones") as the tough mother of humanity's savior. The series ran for two seasons on FOX beginning in 2008. less

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
This television spin-off starred Lena Headley (better known as Queen Cersei on "Game of Thrones") as the tough mother of humanity's savior. The series ran for two ... more

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The Crow
Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, was tragically killed by a prop accident while filming this dark action movie. The film was later released in 1994 and became a cult favorite.

The Crow
Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, was tragically killed by a prop accident while filming this dark action movie. The film was later released in 1994 and became a cult favorite.

Photo: MIRAMAX / GAUMONT / Europa Press

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Crow: Stairway to Heaven
The syndicated series had one season in 1998 and aired in the States on the Sci Fi Channel.

Crow: Stairway to Heaven
The syndicated series had one season in 1998 and aired in the States on the Sci Fi Channel.

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Tremors
This 1990 sci-fi/horror film starred Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire. The film went on to have two sequels.

Tremors
This 1990 sci-fi/horror film starred Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire. The film went on to have two sequels.

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Tremors
The 2003 Sci Fi Channel spin-off picked up where the third movie left off. It co-starred Dean Norris -- better known as Hank Schrader on "Breaking Bad."

Tremors
The 2003 Sci Fi Channel spin-off picked up where the third movie left off. It co-starred Dean Norris -- better known as Hank Schrader on "Breaking Bad."

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Uncle Buck
John Candy starred as the titular character in this 1989 John Hughes film about a boisterous single man who takes care of his brother's children for a weekend.

Uncle Buck
John Candy starred as the titular character in this 1989 John Hughes film about a boisterous single man who takes care of his brother's children for a weekend.

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Uncle Buck
The television series picks up on a dark note: Buck's brother and sister-in-law are killed in a car accident and he's named the children's guardian. The series lasted for one season in 1990 on CBS, and starred Kevin Meaney. less

Uncle Buck
The television series picks up on a dark note: Buck's brother and sister-in-law are killed in a car accident and he's named the children's guardian. The series lasted for one season in 1990 on ... more

Working Girl
NBC turned the film into a sitcom in 1990, starring a then unknown Sandra Bullock. The series lasted 12 episodes.

Working Girl
NBC turned the film into a sitcom in 1990, starring a then unknown Sandra Bullock. The series lasted 12 episodes.

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Famous movies that became television series

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From Chron.com’s Tubular blog:

Paramount Television announced recently they intend to make a television adaption of Ghost, the 1990 Academy Award-winning film that starred Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg. Paramount has hired former Fringe writers, Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner, to write a pilot episode for the series which is not yet affiliated with a network.

It has a long way to go, but if Ghost is bought by a network and becomes a series, it will join the ranks of several other television shows adapted from famous films. Some films made the transition into television safely, sometimes even becoming more popular than the film they were based on, like MASH and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Others have been embarrassing flops that you might not even remember ever existed, like Ferris Bueller and Uncle Buck. Click through the gallery above to see which of your favorite movies have been turned into television series — for better or worse.